How much of a joke is political science?

College Majors
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<p>I'm looking to get some sort of job in international affairs after college (CIA, State Department, think tank, non-profit etc.). I was looking at some of the pages on the CIA and State Department sites--extreme reaches that aren't worth planning for, I know--and they mentioned that they took mostly majors in political science, international relations, area studies/language. I figure that if the toughest jobs to get look for these candidates there must be some quantity of employers hiring candidates from "weak" fields such as political science. </p>

<p>If I were to major in political science, get a 3.75+ GPA, earn a master's in comp/international government, and do some research/internships, what would my job prospects look like? Would they be any better if I took 5-6 math-based econ courses as electives (my school only has an econ major, no minor)? </p>

<p>I'm just trying to play with my options before college and I realize that I may be looking in an entirely different direction at this point next year. Thanks for the help!</p>

2

<p>If you follow the prescribed “curriculum” as you say it… that is, “if you were to major in political science, get a 3.75+ GPA, earn a master’s in comp/international government, and do some research/internships,” then your job prospects would look fairly strong. I assume you’re going to the University of Chicago? If so, that’s an extra plus. Many employers these days (as I have seen it), tend to prefer those who can think analytically, especially among those you have listed (CIA, think tank, etc.). Taking some economics course will certainly help with that, as well as computer science and math courses, or something along those lines. You certainly have many options as a political science major.</p>